10 Things I Think I Think About Valencia CF: 2011-12

By: Cesar | August 16th, 2011

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Valencia CF c. 2011-12 have inspired me to jump back on my soap box and preach to the masses.
And why not? I’m giddy with excitement for the season to start this weekend!

That is, if it starts. The players union may strike. The season may be delayed. We may have to wait to see Our Beloved Valencia CF trot out to defend the colors of the Valencian Community.

But that’s not our concern (or is it?).

What concerns us is: How will Valencia CF do in the upcoming season? (If the season ever starts.)

I took a blogging hiatus back in the summer of 2009 during the Dalport/Vicente Soriano mess. I’d tired of the constant ‘As The Mestalla Turns’ soap opera nature of the VCF back room.

Plus the incessant transfer rumors around David Villa and David Silva. Talk about driving your friendly neighborhood blogger crazy!

Those days are long gone. Now, Manuel Llorente is the man in charge, steering the Good Ship Mestalla towards the Champions League with Lieutenant Unai Emery manning the star board.

The two Davids are gone, off to greener pastures. In their place are gritty soldiers like Roberto Soldado and Juan Mata, brave warriors willing to sweat profusely for the cause (The incessant transfer rumors around Mata having FINALLY ceased. He’s staying, ok?).

Where do we stand now?

Here, my annual 10 Things I Think I Think about Valencia CF: 2011-12…

I’ll keep it short and sweet so as not to bore! Here we go.

1 – I think VCF look good. Damn good.

We kept Juan Mata and Ever ‘Madridista’ Banega plus added valuable pieces like Dani Parejo, Adil Rami, Pablo Piatti (steal of the transfer season) and Diego Alves.

The squad’s fast, technically proficient and young. Well, minus David Albelda.

What’s not to like?

2 – I think one more CB will do us good.

But who? We can’t honestly go into the season with a combo of Hedwiges Maduro and Angel Dealbert manning the middle next to Adil Rami, can we?

3 – I think we’ll push the Spanish Old Firm.

We’ll shake up the Spanish status quo some, causing some waves, making some noise.
I see an upset along the way, maybe a win at the Nou Camp or the Bernabeu somewhere down the line.

4 – I think we’ll go deep in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Let’s see who we come up against. But I certainly think we’ll go farther than we did last season.
Europe might be easier for Our Beloved to win than the Spanish league.

5 – I think Juan Mata will have a stand out season and depart a conquering hero.

In other words, I think this will be his last season with Our Beloved. But he’ll do well, jack his transfer price up and depart in good spirits, much like David Villa did.

Bye Mata and thanks.

6 – I think the more we incorporate the youngsters, the better.

Isco’s gone but Paco Alcacer and Juan Bernat remain. Also Sofiane Feghouli.
Plus Sergio Canales is here …
The more these lads factor into the matches, the better it’ll be for team.
Their desire, youth and hunger will only do us good.

7 – I think I see big things from Rob Soldado.

I’m thinking 25 goals and a national team spot at next summer’s Euros would be nice, no?

8 – I think we need to get rid of Hedwiges Maduro. Or tip him lots of money at the bar.

Ladies and gentleman, your new Curro Torres. His name? Hedwiges.
Please leave. Now.

9 – A reinvigorated Ever Banega is always a nice thing.

Sorry ...

The little lad’s got something to prove.

Sure, he fancies Real Madrid.
Sure, he likes to shoot suggestive videos of himself (who doesn’t?).
Sure, he loves the night life and likes to boogie at the disco.

One thing that’s for sure is the lad’s got talent. If he channels some of the energy he exhibits during his masturbatory sessions, we’re in for a monster year from the Argentinian wonder.

If not now, when? Probably never.

10 – I think we’ll finish 3rd but closer to the Spanish Old Firm.

Having said all that, I’m not dumb enough to suggest we’ll win La Liga.

Last season we finished 25 points behind champions Barcelona, a 3 point improvement from the previous season. (We were 21 points behind Real Madrid, close enough to smell their fumes.)

We’re all aware of the structural problems in Spain, the uneven distribution of TV money, the financial strife and the gross inequality.

That’s just the way it is. Until the system changes, we’re where we are.

Maybe we’ll challenge for the league here and there. Maybe Madrid will stumble, Barca will falter and we can sneak into the 2nd spot.

But I highly doubt we’ll win La Liga any time soon. It’s just not in the cards.

Trust me, I’d love to be proven wrong. But I don’t think I am.
Having said that, I think we’ve closed the gap some.

Hi, I coach VCF. What's your sign?

The likes of Malaga and Villarreal may cause us some trouble. But I don’t think they’ll over take us.

I think another year under Unai Emery will only do the squad good, having them ingrain his system into their bellies.

I think the young guys are hungry, the older guys want more and the Valencian community is ready to explode for the team.

It should be a good year. 3rd place, closer to the Old Firm, a deep run in Europe (semifinals? Dare I dream?) and a Copa del Rey championship would make me happier than Ever Banega in a Real Madrid team store.

AMUNT!!

Oh, one more thing …

11 – I think it’s a good time to be a VCF fan.

We have super nice kits (who’s buying me the Senyera?).
A Champions League squad. Lots of hope for the upcoming season.

And if you happen to speak/read English, it’s awesome having websites like Loco4LosChe, VCF Central and Twitter accounts like VCFInEnglish providing us with daily updates about Our Beloved.

It fills me with joy to see so many people supporting my favorite club!

What I’d really love is to start a penya, a supporter’s club for those of us living in the United States or just convening on these sites, conversing with one another. Something official. Something the club acknowledges.

I’ve thrown the idea around before, but I’m really eager to do it.

I know Ciberche have their online penya and the Che-UK guys have a strong following.

How about us? Why not?

Who’s with me? How do we do this? (i.e. HELP!)

I’d love to watch Valencia play in the States, hang out with us, maybe stay over at our houses (it’s not like they can afford the hotels).

It’s an idea. Tell me what you think.

Until next time, AMUNT VALENCIA … I can’t wait for the season to start!!